Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has confirmed that seamer Mohammad Amir is complete fit and would be available for clash with West Indies on Friday.
Addressing a press conference here, Sarfraz said, “We are fully prepared for the match against West Indies, hope Pakistan will break their defeating streak.”
Earlier, there were reports Amir probably won’t play in team's World Cup opening fixture as the pacer has reportedly requested head coach Mickey Arthur to give him more time to fully recover.
Amir had fallen ill during Pakistan-England series and could not play even a single game as the speedster had contracted chickenpox.
The fast bowler was in the playing XI for the first ODI at Oval but the match was abandoned due to rain after 19 overs in which Pakistan batted first. He had fallen ill ahead of the second ODI and missed the entire series due to what officials said was a viral infection.
Talking about the batting order, the skipper said, “I will play at number 5 in the World Cup 2019, however, the batting order could be different if play in the death overs.”
“Our batting is not bad, Pakistan and England have different style of play,” he said.
“I am happy to wear national address and represented Pakistan in Shalwar Kameez,” the wicketkeeper added.
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Asked if he was worried about the short boundaries and a flat pitch at Trent Bridge, Sarfaraz said: "When we came here on the first day and asked the groundsman what is the par score he told us that it´s 480."
"Cricket has changed. People used to think that 300 was a par score but it has changed. We will have different pitches in the World Cup so if a team scores 300-plus then the other team will also go for that," he said.
Sarfaraz said both Pakistan and the West Indies were unpredictable teams.
But Sarfaraz said taking wickets will be the key.
"If you want to contain any team you have to take wickets whoever you play, so it´s important to put pressure by taking wickets."
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